Farmingdale State selected as Skyline Conference favorite in Baseball

Mar 05, 2009

Farmingdale State selected as Skyline Conference
favorite in Baseball

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – After earning its
first Skyline Conference title and NCAA Division III tournament bid
in 2008, Farmingdale State has been selected as the conference
favorite again in 2009 as voted upon by the coaches. St. Joseph's
and Old Westbury are also expected to contend for the conference
title.

Farmingdale State went 26-18 last season, including a 13-3 mark in
Skyline Conference play. The Rams outlasted Mount Saint Vincent in
the conference tournament to earn their first NCAA bid. Farmingdale
returns a number of key players from last season, including senior
shortstop Brian Benvenuto (.390, 32 RBI), an All-Skyline first-team
selection as well as the Most Valuable Player of the Skyline
tournament. A pair of juniors, designated hitter Michael Labrozzi
and catcher Zak Nersesian were also all-conference selections a
year ago. The pitching staff is anchored by senior Tom Heeman and
junior closer Billy Garofalo, both All-Skyline first-team
selections. The Rams will have to replace a pair of departed
starters in Jesse Scott and Rob Savarese who combined to win 10
games last season.

With a young team consisting largely of freshman and sophomores
last season, St. Joseph's went 27-15-1 overall and 13-3 in Skyline
Conference play. The Golden Eagles, led by junior All-American
second baseman Mike Gerdes (.412 avg., 506 OB%), should be a strong
team offensively. Juniors Jon Welsh (.387, 36 RBI), Ryan Carroll
(.326, 23 RBI), Jeff Coyle (40 RBI) and Mark Cisek (.333, 13-14 SB)
all earned All-Skyline honors along with Gerdes. If the pitching
staff rounds into form, the St. Joseph's will be a strong
contender.

Old Westbury struggled early with a young team last year, but a
tough early-season schedule had the Panthers ready for conference
play. With an additional year of experience, Old Westbury will be a
tough team to beat in Skyline play. The Panthers possess the top
pitcher in the conference in junior right-hander Robert Whitenack.
The 2008 Skyline Pitcher of the Year, Whitenack posted impressive
numbers as a sophomore when he allowed just 50 hits in 71 innings.
He displayed impeccable control, striking out 67 and walking just
16.